Shoebox gifts reach children in more than 100 countries

Samaritan's Purse project Operation Christmas Child exceeded targets last year, and is now reaching more needy children than ever around the world ...

Samaritan's Purse project Operation Christmas Child exceeded targets last year, and is now reaching more needy children than ever around the world ...

The generosity of UK supporters saw the collection of 900,008 shoebox gifts, filled with fun toys, school supplies and hygiene items. Combined with shoebox gifts collected from partnering countries in 2015, the ministry is now sending more than 11.2 million shoebox gifts to children in more than 100 countries.

Nick Cole, the new UK Director of Operation Christmas Child says: "How inspiring for us all to be part of a project that’s truly about the one and the many. Each child among 900,000 has received a box individually prepared by the OCC UK community, declaring they’re loved by God and by us.

"In the UK, we have many ‘star’ volunteers, but actually the project only works because many thousands do their vital bit, together with thousands of others in churches overseas who then reach out to children in their community. No stars, but a humble worldwide family who love kids and sharing God’s love with them."

Every shoebox gift delivered by Operation Christmas Child is a tangible expression of God’s amazing love. But a shoebox is just the beginning. Many children will be offered the chance to take part in The Greatest Journey – a set of 12 fun, interactive lessons based on the Bible.

For those that can’t wait until this Christmas to get packing again, shoeboxes can be put together through Samaritan's Purse's online campaign – Shoebox World. You select the gifts you want to send and then these are bought and packed for you. You can even send a personalised message and upload a photo. For more info go to www.shoeboxworld.org.uk.

Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international Christian relief and development organisation. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected more than 135 million gift-filled shoeboxes for children in more than 150 countries and territories.

In 2015, shoeboxes from the UK were sent to Albania, Belarus, Bosnia, Central Asia, Latvia, Liberia, Lithuania, Macedonia, the Middle East, Romania, Serbia, Swaziland, Ukraine and Zambia. In 2016, Operation Christmas Child hopes to reach another 12 million children. To learn about year-round volunteer opportunities or to serve with Operation Christmas Child, visit www.samaritans-purse.org.uk/occ

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